Device for increasing the traction of locomotives



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.-

M.A.DEES.

DEVICE FOR INGREASING THE TRAGTIQSI 0F LOGOMOTIVES. No. 303,180.Patented Aug. 5 1884.

(No Mpdel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

YM; A. DEBS. DEVICE FOR INCREASING THE TRACTION 0F LOCOMOTIVES, No.303,130. Patented Aug. 884.

197y1$7 I v MM d. 2164 I am), I

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

JIARK A. DEE S, OF MOSS POINT, MISSISSIPPI.

DEVICE FOR INCREASING THE TRACTION OF LOCOMOTIVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 303,130, dated August5, 1884.

To LL whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARK'A. DEES, of Moss Point, in the county ofJackson and State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Devices for Increasing the Traction of theDriving-YVheels of L0- comotiveEngines, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention refers to that class of tractionincreasers wherein a partof the weight of the tender may be thrown upon the d riving-wheels ofthe engine to increase their traction.

The object of my invention is to simplify and improve devices for thepurpose named, by obtaining, whenthe device is in use, the most di rectconnection or attachment between the lifting medium and the tender, andeffecting an entire detachment of the parts of the device upon theengine and tender, respectively, when increased traction is not neededor the train is in motion under ordinary circumstances.

In devices for increasing traction heretofore patented, a steam-cylinderhas been mounted under the running-board of the cab, and the piston-rodconnected with a chain joined to a transverse bar pivoted at theopposite side of the cab, said bar being in turn connected by a chain,with a longitudinal bar extending under the tender, so that the upwardmovement of the piston, when acting on the de vices named, wouldpartially raise the tender and throw its weight upon the driving-wheelsof the locomotive. I have found in practice that the device thusarranged can he mater ally simplified, cheapened, and rendered moreeffective by the reduction of the number of its parts; by dispensingwith a chain-connec' tion between the piston and the transverse bar; bysecuring the longitudinal bar directly to the tender sill, and bypreventing any connection between the said transverse and longitudinalbars when the device is in its normal condition. My present inventioncovers a device thus simplified, cheapened,'and improved.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the cabend of a locomotive and the front end of a tender, showing my inventionapplied. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the cab, showing the application ofthe invention. Fig. 3 is a side view similar to Fig. 1, but showhraced,if desired.

Application filed November 16, 1883. (No model.)

ing a modified form of the invention. Figs.

el and show further modifications.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respectivefigures.

A is a steam, air, or hydraulic cylinder.

B is the piston-rod.

'0 is a link at the outer end of the piston; rod, and which unites witha transverse bar, D, extending across and under the cab, and pivoted ata to a link, E, secured to the frame work of the engine or the cab.

Instead of a swinging link, E, a brace, as shown by dotted lines in Fig.2, may be substituted; or the link E, as shown, may be The .lowcr partof the cylinder is connected with the boiler by a steampipe, I), havinga suitable cook. The upper part of the cylinder is provided with a vent,c, for exhausting the air above the piston.

F is a bar attached to the sill or frame of the tender and projectingbeyond the forward end of the tender, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Fig. 2 shows the parts in their normal. condition that is to say, whenthe weight of the tender is not thrown upon the driving-wheels of theengine. The bar F, attached to the tender, is shown in dotted lines incrosssection in Figs. 2, 4, and 5; and it will be seen that in thenormal position of the parts the bar D or other lifting medium is not incontact with the bar F. On admitting steam under the piston, the pistonwill have a certain vertical movement before the bar D will come incontact with and operate upon the bar F to raise the tender. Thus, ifthe stroke of the piston is twelve inches, it will be seen that themovement of the bar D at the longitudinal center of the engine andtender will he but six inches, and that the piston will, therefore, moveupward six inches before the bar Deng-ages with the bar F, and the partsare made operative for accomplishing the object in view. It is importantthat when the parts are in their normal condition there should be nocontact or connection between the bar D and the bar F, for theirregularity of movement which necessarily exists between the engine andtender while the train is in motion would be detrimental to the severalparts were there any connection between them. By keeping the parts whilethe train is in motion entirely out of contact and detached in everyway, any irregularity of movement between the engine and tender ispermissible without jarring or in any way injuriously affecting theseveral parts of my invention. Chains, links, or any other means usedfor connecting the bars D and F must necessarily rattle and jar duringthe movement of the train, and the wear and tear consequent upon suchemployment of connections are to be avoided. It is also important thatthere should not be any connection whatever between the parts of theinvention which are on the engine and those parts which are on thetender, to avoid unnecessary coupling and uncoupling of the parts. It isalso important to allow proper and unobstructed curving.

Fig. 3 shows a modification of the invention. In this figure I use acylinder arranged horizontally or in an inclined position under therunning-board, or otherwise conveniently situated, and a bell-crankconnection, H, be-

tween the piston-rod and the bar D. This con-' nection is effected bythe links 0 in substantially the same manner as the connection iseffected between the piston-rod and the bar D by similar links in theconstruction shown in Figs. l and 2.

Fig. 4-sl1ows a further modification. An eccentric, can], or arm, 0, ismounted on a shaft, (1, capable of partial rotation, and suit ablymounted iirbearings under the cab. A crank, e," is at the end of theshaft, and connected by a rod or link, 0, to the piston-rod B. Normally,the eccentric, cam, or arm 0 is out of contact with the tender-bar F,but the partial revolution of the crank, which must be arranged to standoff from the dead center,

. will bring the eccentric and tender-bar in contact, and thecontinuation of the movement will lift the tender.

Fig. 5 shows a further modification. A cyl- These modified forms of theinvention may be found preferable with some classes of en gines, orunder particular circumstances, which it will not be necessary to hereenumerate.

I disclaim as a part of my present inven tion the invention forincreasing traction and braking described in an application for LettersPatent filed by me April 27, 1883, Serial N0. 93,120; but,

Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a traction-increaser, thecombination, with a tender, of a bar directly and rigidly connected withthe sill or frame of the tender and projecting beyond the front endthereof, substantially as set forth.

2. In atraction-increaser, a bar extending beyond the front end of thetender, combined with a transverse bar under the rear end of the engine,and adapted to be lifted by suitable means, which transverse barnormally is out of contact with the tender-bar, substantially as setforth.

3. In a traction-increaser, a cylinder or cylinders and a transverse barhaving vertical movementgiven to it by said cylinder or cylinders,combined with a tender-bar,projecting over or across said transversebar, substantially as set forth.

4. In a traction-increaser, a cylinder or cylinders mounted on theengine, and a transverse bar having connections with said cylinder orcylinders and adapted to be lifted thereby, combined with a tender-barprojecting over or across said transverse bar, and adapted to be broughtin contact therewith by the upward movement of said transverse bar, tolift the tender, but which tender-bar is normally out of contact withthe transverse bar, sub stantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day ofNovember, A. D. 1883.

MARK I A. DEES.

Witnesses:

GEORGE H. HowARD, E. L. urns.

